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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lara53 on April 9, 2005, at 5:05:46
I am now getting obsessed with what will make me feel better;which maybe is a good thing. Kinda just lived with it. After lamictal for 6 weeks and not helping,and pdoc I don't have hope in,I am getting more worried. Thanks for listening.
Lara
Posted by lara53 on April 9, 2005, at 5:20:36
In reply to Lamictal, posted by lara53 on April 9, 2005, at 5:05:46
Ideas? maybe BP2 mixed states,rapid cycles? Always thought doc. could give you clear dx. how dumb of me! Need suggestions for meds, thank you.
Posted by Ritch on April 9, 2005, at 11:21:06
In reply to Lamictal, posted by lara53 on April 9, 2005, at 5:05:46
> I am now getting obsessed with what will make me feel better;which maybe is a good thing. Kinda just lived with it. After lamictal for 6 weeks and not helping,and pdoc I don't have hope in,I am getting more worried. Thanks for listening.
> LaraNot feeling you can trust your pdoc's judgement can be just as bad as not being on the "right" medication. You might do your mental health some good to switch docs.. That said, Depakote is pretty good for mixed bipolar symptoms. Some people find an atypical AP to work really well.. i.e. Seroquel or Zyprexa. I've read quite a few negative posts here about Lamictal inducing irritability and anxiety. OTOH, maybe you need something to take with the Lam for that.. Hope this helps.
Posted by Spriggy on April 9, 2005, at 13:30:49
In reply to Re: Lamictal » lara53, posted by Ritch on April 9, 2005, at 11:21:06
Lara,
Would you mind sharing your main symptoms? Mine tend to be more anxiety/agitation mixed state and Lamictal seemeed to make my anxiety worsen.Depakote was okay for me but it gave me bad heartburn.
I am now on Seroquel and Klonopin. Seroquel is very new to me, but last night, I took a lower dose and it seemed to really help.
I know the feeling about getting obsessed over what drugs to try and what can make you feel better. As a matter of fact, that's why I come here every day. ha haha.
Posted by Spriggy on April 9, 2005, at 13:32:58
In reply to Re: Lamictal » lara53, posted by Ritch on April 9, 2005, at 11:21:06
How much Lamictal are you on and are you taking anything else??
Posted by Phillipa on April 9, 2005, at 18:19:27
In reply to one more question, posted by Spriggy on April 9, 2005, at 13:32:58
Six weeks is long enough to know if a med is going to work for you. Call your pdoc. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 19:25:09
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by Spriggy on April 9, 2005, at 13:30:49
Spriggy, My symptoms are mainly anxiety-agitation also. About every six weeks I will get what I said was "sick". Slept almost around the clock,no appetite,nausea,and then bam it went away as fast as it came. "It" would last anywhere from 2-6 days,on the average 3.I have had this since the late 70's. At first they said I had low blood sugar after I drank that "stuff".
Moved to another state in 84 and didn't go to any doctor till 1987. {we moved alot so thats how i remember]When I would get "it" the two doctors I went to just blamed it on a virus [how many can one get!]I just blamed it on low sugar and stress being as nobody could figure it out.In 91 I started to go to the practice I go to now {haven't moved!] I actually didn't see doctor because I was never sick in any other way. Just my kids were going there. So in 93 I got really depressed and saw PCP. He sent me to pdoc. who put me on many combos,ended up in pych. ward twice in 94.Really didn't want to go on;which later didn't make sense of course.Took meds about another year but side effects I got tired of; I really got into the Lord and honestly felt better. Doing OK still low chronic depression which I can't remember not having. Through the years when I felt worse I would get the "latest in SSI's.I would take them about 4-6 months;celexa around a year,effexor same thing. Really didn't notice too much improvement,sometimes worse.It's been too long to remember.{from primary care-giver]Thru the years this doc. also didn't know what to do and sent me to gastro guy. Concluded I have chronic gastritis, gerd,irritable bowel.{after endoscopy.}So meds for them. Still no better with the every 6 week thing. Last Feb. I saw different doc. in practice {had seen others before] and he said I was depressed. I said yea when I am sick,but not when I'm not. I always had anxiety big time. When I would be [sick] I was really down and it wasn't so bad. About the last 5 yrs.I had more energy and anxiety;became obsessed with cleaning and never sat down {between the every 6 week thing] I would work my 12 hour shifts which I run around all day as tech at hospital and come home and cook and clean;sleep around 5-6 hours sometimes 3-4 and other times 2 and felt fine. I have always woke up every hour on the hour for long time except when on certain meds.Back to Feb. of 2004,he gave me zoloft because he was convinced I was depressed. Low and behold I did not get 'sick'.But it made me "wired" so I switched to lexapro,same thing, anxiety worse etc.I went back to doc. last June and told him I didn't like the lex. so he asked me if i would see pdoc. Thru the years I told him no because the other two, reg. and pharmocologist, I thought were nuts because of all the meds I was on. He said Dr. was his friend {small town] and conservative so I said ok.So end of July I go,talk for 45 minutes, dx me with major depressive dis order. Reviewed what I tried {wanted me to remember combos I had in 94-95. Hello! Gave me remeron which i took for 2 dys and slept for two days. Then zyprexa same thing. Again missing work. Prozac no go, still got"sick" in 6 weeks. Cymbalta the worst, after few weeks still "sick";[anxiety little better] and few more weeks terrible "no motivation"Gave me ritalin which worked for 3 dys.So after seeing him 4 times since july [in between I would cx. appoints.and go back to not taking anything]; in Feb. decided I had "some kind of cycling depression." He stated that he was not saying I was BP.I stressed over and over each time I would go I was only there so I would not get that 6 week thing. Other than that I could manage with no meds other than something for anxiety.[gave me klonopin in july].So after 8 months he figures out I have some kind of cycling going on and gave me lamictal and told me stop klonopin. As I was "sick" at the time,didn't take it till after I went back to work and was off for few dys.I think 3rd week in Feb. Started on 25 for 2 wks then 50. After reading this forum I called and said should I go up to 100. He said yes. and I've been on 100 for about two and half weeks. Boy thats when I had what others thought dysphoric mania. Full Full of energy but would get in these rages then be ok and feel dumb,then in evening not tired but depressed. Slept 3 hours for 10 days even when I tried sonota and klonopin. Would not be tired next day either. After that still very anxious and irritable. Took 150 for last 2 days,muscle tightness in neck and shoulders and headache. [Same thing on zoloft and lex.]Today only took 100. He would not agree to 150 till I saw him the 19th;but I thought I would try it and if worked tell him.{also why I was out of script already!]But I don't know what I'll do,maybe split dosages. After reading every thing I can find,I need 200 for depression. I haven't got "sick" so---. anxiety is worse than before I started,rage is gone. Feeling about the same as far as depression goes.Yes I finally quit being in denial;See so much at work I am grateful for everything [even my dysfunctional life!]But finally realized 'its'in my brain;even though I "knew" it before, but always blamed myself for not snapping out of it.
Posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 19:37:34
In reply to Re: one more question, posted by Phillipa on April 9, 2005, at 18:19:27
Two things,one,thank you for babblemail. I never read e-mail more than once or twice a month being that nobody writes to me except bill confirmations. Pathetic I know.Second I believe I should go to 200 on lamictal which is taking me long time cuz I didn,t make appoint. with pdoc in time,and he says on the phone to wait to go over 100 till my appoint. on 19th. To change subject, hope you are doing better after your complication.Your "luck" sounds like mine. Friday basement flooded,today went downstairs to get something out of freezer and it was DEFROSTED. ARGGG__ Am feeling better last 2 dys {rage}, Am quite embarassed to read what I wrote now.
Posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 19:43:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 19:25:09
my post back to you above.should have changed subject. Sorry so very very long.My best to you, Lara
Posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 20:39:06
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 19:25:09
Posted by Lushkins on April 11, 2005, at 5:21:01
In reply to Lamictal, posted by lara53 on April 9, 2005, at 5:05:46
Yeah defiantly wait until you reach at least 200mg. You are likely to feel something there if it is a med for you. If you do, and your like me, and many other people you will have to go a little higher, or perhaps signifcantly higher (400mg) everyones different. I am on 250mg and things are better, I have good days now, where I smile, laugh and am socialble, instead of being reclusive. I am still having some blah days (like now) but it was only a couple days ago when I was feeling good (made a post about it) and I think I will be well againg soon. I will go up to 300mg, in the hope that things will iron out so to speak. Sometimes I think the med is not working, but then I try to remember what I was like before, and I come to the conclusion that I had some really bad times, but those times are just a memory right now, so I'm happy about that. So the dose range is variable to say the least, but try and be patiant as it may just be the ticket.
Lushkins
Posted by lara53 on April 11, 2005, at 5:53:13
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by Lushkins on April 11, 2005, at 5:21:01
Thanks,hypomanic last week,last three days tired,think I prefer above;but then again I was not so nice then! I will try to be patient,need to write all this down before next appoint. as I get to have his 15 minutes of attention. Huh!
Posted by lara53 on April 11, 2005, at 9:35:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 19:25:09
Posted by lara53 on April 11, 2005, at 9:47:44
In reply to I've always had chronic not dysphoric-corr. term? (nm), posted by lara53 on April 11, 2005, at 9:35:30
Posted by Lushkins on April 11, 2005, at 13:23:39
In reply to ReLushkins, posted by lara53 on April 11, 2005, at 5:53:13
aAnyway let us know how you get on. I got a Pdoc appointment on friday, I let you know how I get on
This is the end of the thread.
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